My Lights are Brighter than Yours!

[Graham O]

Well it's getting round to that time of year when the evenings are drawing in and our thoughts are turning to bike lights. Having spent last winter commuting on a quite modest front light (£30), I'm wondering how useful, for road riding, high power lights are? Even though my commute is 75% along dark unlit country lanes, I never had a problem with being surprised by potholes, mud, animals etc and quite a lot of time, I could ride without lights, (very very little traffic).

So although I want to get something a bit brighter and certainly more waterproof, probably about the £80 mark, I'm wondering if there is any need to spend more, or is it just a case of "my lights are brighter than yours".

 

[tdr1nka]

Again, I can't fault the AyYup lights.
They are pricey coming in at, inc. import tax, £145 but they certainly do the business.

The selling point for me was that you have two lamps that are independently positionable which means you can see the road and be seen by oncoming traffic.

It might be overkill to be using lights designed for 24hr MTB endurance riders on London streets but I can vouch from experience that car drivers see me coming from much further away than they ever did with my old Cats Eye halogen jobby!

 

[John the Monkey]

I guess it lies in being visible from further away, and also in not being lost in the background of lots of other bright lights.

I quite fancy the Knog gator, myself (the 105) for this year - I'm already using a toad as my "be seen" light, and have been quite impressed by that.

 

[tdr1nka]

I'm saving my pennies for a Dionette rear light at the moment, does anyone know if they have a British Dealer?

 

[domtyler]

Get yourself a Schmidt Dynohub and forget having to charge batteries, ever.

 

[Graham O]

Ayups. More than your budget, but well worth it.

I've seen the Ayups and perhaps my question should be "Please provide me with reasons why I shouldn't buy a set of Ayups?" They look very nice and importantly, seem to use lightweight high capacity battery technology which some of the others don't use yet.

 

[tdr1nka]

Get yourself a Schmidt Dynohub and forget having to charge batteries, ever.

Ultimately the best option, but not so easy to swap between a racer, MTB & trike.

 

[Chuffy]

I'm saving my pennies for a Dionette rear light at the moment, does anyone know if they have a British Dealer?

I thought On-One/Planet X sold them? The rear lights look positively fierce, to the point of being dangerous if angled badly.

 

[Chuffy]

Ultimately the best option, but not so easy to swap between a racer, MTB & trike.

Dom would surely have three wheels with the hub fitted. Or a Polish skivvy to do the changing for him.

 

[tdr1nka]

I thought On-One/Planet X sold them? The rear lights look positively fierce, to the point of being dangerous if angled badly.

I looked at their site but it seems they only stock the 'extras', spare mounts, batteries etc. I shall email them.

When I first got the AyYup lights it took a few rides to find the best positioning, at it's worst I was getting flashed by oncoming cars in that way that says 'Dip your bloody lights!'.
The Dionette looks best to compliment the AyYup, in that retina burning stylee.

 

[Milo]

I have a smart 1 watt led that for 25 quid is very good.
Just about ok for riding on unlit roads I think. May have a try tonight.
Thinking of getting another one and running 2 at the same time.
Only drawback is no flashing mode

 

[Baggy]

When I first got the AyYup lights it took a few rides to find the best positioning, at it's worst I was getting flashed by oncoming cars in that way that says 'Dip your bloody lights!'.

My Lumicycle halide gets me sworn at by other cyclists My Lumi halogen has attracted comments as well.
There's a stretch of unlit bike path on my commute - I have to point the halide at the floor to avoid abuse...

 

[tdr1nka]

My Lumicycle halide gets me sworn at by other cyclists My Lumi halogen has attracted comments as well.
There's a stretch of unlit bike path on my commute - I have to point the halide at the floor to avoid abuse...

I always point out that no one has trouble seeing me, seeing properly afterwards is a different thing entirely.

Your lights look a lot like the AyYups, chunky stuff!
Got email back from on-one, they no longer stock Dionette lights

 

[ufkacbln]

I'm saving my pennies for a Dionette rear light at the moment, does anyone know if they have a British Dealer?

On-one used to be the main importer. Geoffrey Butler used to sell as well.

 

[ufkacbln]

The cheapest at the moment is £12!





There is a 3watt luxeon LED torch (2AA) in Tesco at the moment - with a little fettling this can easily be mounted on a bike. (Link)

There is also a larger 4 watt LED (almost as bright as the Dinotte) at £18 (Link)

If our fettling skills are up to it extremely good value!